Nevada County picayune., 1887-08-25

was not a. week later that his name appeared on the register of a hotel of the Branch, where>a few pages back was written Miss Cecile De . Fere."
 In the early evening he met Mrs Worth, and she greeted cordially the man whose handsome face won for him the friends hls sterling qualities retained.
 When she spoke of Miss DeFere Leslie looked interested.
 "lt would please me to be pre-. sented to your friend" he said, in tones that nearly betrayed his ca gerness. ''I heard her sing once at your house, and her voice charmed me as it did all others.r
 Mrs. Worth dropped her eyelids and a faint smile curved her lips.
 "l will present you with pleas ure," she sad, and Leslie became conscious of another's presence.
 He saw a tall, stately foIm glide to Mrs Worth s side, a dark, bril- iant face, whose brunette beauty was enhanced by toilet of amber and lace; and then, dazed and dis appointed, he realized that the Ce. cie De Fere who stood there was not the Cecile of hls dreams.
 She was beautiful -strikingly so in that righ, glowing type that commands admiration, but Leslie was in no mood to appreciate that beauty.
 Yet nothing of his emotion was revealed by his manner.
 Il read your surprise,' said Mrs Worth, laughingly. "Cecile, MT. Harper was one of the victims of our deception. l must tell you"- with glance a. Leslie Miss De Fere was indisposed the evening of our last musicale, and her place was taken by Miss Marian Sher- lock who consented on condition that she remain incognito. But you will sing for us some time, Cecile, will you not"
 "Willingly," answered the bru- nette, with a flash of her dark eyes at Leslie.
 He was pondering over what hs had just heard-Marian Sherlock the name seemed not unfamiliar to him. Albert Sherlock had been a college mate of his, and note tor him lay at that inst instant in his pocket.
 When Leslie was alone, he glanced again oyer the written pa geS.
 "You write you are coming to Long Branch-I am delighted, for we are installed in a cottage at Elberon. Come and see us as soon as possible. My cousin Ma rian, the song-bird of whom you have often heard,i is with us now, and she will give you treat that you will appreciate"
 That was an extract of the mis- sive, and Leslie folded 1t up with a strange look on his face.
 Its very Odd,' he thought. "Marian Sherlock-it must be the same. will go tomorrow"
 He received warm welcome at the cottage in ElberOn; but 1t was with more than friendly emotions he took white hand that was offered him, and looked into the deep, sorrowful eyes of Marian Sherlock. He knew then-what her vision had never taught him he loved her!
 Day after day he sought her, yet somehow they seemed to come no nearer to each other.
 She was always charming, al ways gracious; but there was that in her manner that chilled his hopes. He thought he found his preferred rival in Albert Sherlock, and at last, in despair, he decided to go away.
 It was the evening of his last visit to the cottage. He had found Marian alone, and while waiting for the others to return from a drive, she sang for him-the song he heard at Mrs. Worth's musicale.
 Her voice sounded sad to him now. for his own thoughts were attuned to his minor key, and his face was vefy grave when she rose from the piano and came to- ward him.
 lie looked up and met her eyes; they were an expression he conld